September may be Whole Grains Month, but that doesn’t mean you can’t include whole grains in your weight loss diet all year round. Whole grains may be considered the healthy and “good” choice, with loads of fiber, folate, iron and B vitamins, but these trendsetters are anything but boring once you get to know them! Add a little wild whole grain goodness and flavor to your diet with these taste bud tempting whole grain recipes, tips and menu choices:

Add some excitement to the usual sides – Turn your average side of white rice into something special with a brown rice, quinoa or barley risotto. Your imagination is the limit! These whole grain risotto recipes from nutrition experts and chefs will get your creativity flowing.

Say goodbye to boring breakfast – Those morning egg whites not cutting it anymore? Overnight oatmeal is all the rage for good reason. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s filling, thanks to all the fiber, and have you tasted it?! Not wild enough for you? Substitute quinoa for the oatmeal, and you’ll feel like the trendsetter as you eat your way to a healthier weight.

Salads, sides, entrées, soups, baked goods and more can take on a whole new life and flavor when you add whole grains… and we all know that keeping your diet fresh, flavorful and interesting is a big key to weight loss for the long term.

How do you use whole grains to add interest and nutrition to your diet? What whole grain swapshave you made to help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight?

You don’t have to do it alone. Participating Healthy Dining restaurants do some pretty tasty things with whole grains. Here are just a few menu choices featuring whole grains: